Avelina could not believe what was going on. Was that man actually stalking her right now? Her head was spinning because she had never told that man her address.
He had only given her a card to the event's address, and she had never told him anything about her home, let alone where she schooled.
In fact, the very thought that he had actually gone along with the fake name she gave him told her he wasn't stalking her. Yet, why did it feel like he knew about her.
She was just confused.
"Tell me, Ave, did you by any chance tell him about your school or where you live? Because I'm actually getting confused as well," she spoke as she turned the car. Avelina decided not to dwell on it.
"I don't think I can go anymore. Everything is just weird. I feel like I'm going insane, and ever since I took that money from that man, things have been going differently," she said worriedly. Regret filled her—had she done something wrong by taking it?
Roxie finally stopped the car as they reached their university hostel.
"That should be even more reason why you should go—clear the air. You could even give him his money back. After all, you haven't used it," she spoke. Avelina reasoned that Roxie was right.
The money she had originally planned to use for her sister's hospital fee had already been cleared, and the apartment she was planning to buy could wait. She would return the money. The cash she had now was the one he had given her for the condoms—that really was a smart move.
She thought happily as she turned to Roxie with a wide smile.
"You are so smart, Xie," she said, and Roxie nodded with a grin.
"You can say that again," Roxie replied, and Avelina rolled her eyes.
"Your smartness comes once in a while, so let's just say it only showed up seconds ago. Now you're back to your usual dumbhood." Avelina chuckled as Roxie glared at her.
"Dumbhood—tell me, Ave, where is that in the dictionary? Did you see that?" she asked, as Avelina laughed.
"Let's just say… the one in my head," Avelina replied.
Roxie grinned.
"Let's go home; we'll need to get you ready," Roxie spoke softly. Avelina nodded…she needed to go. If she didn't, things might escalate further.
"But Roxie, if I want to return the money, that would mean I have to go home, and my parents may suspect."
She spoke softly, and Roxie nodded as they stepped out of the car Roxie walked to Avelina side.
Holding Avelina's hand, Roxie said, "You don't have to worry. We'll think of something. He's rich anyway, and he might not even take it back. Maybe he asked you to marry him because he needed someone for the ball party, or maybe he just wanted a partner for events. That's not so bad, sweetheart, if you ask me."
Avelina nodded. She didn't know how her friend could think so quickly—it was like she always found a way for everything. After just telling her about giving him money, Roxie had already found a better reason, and this one made sense.
"It's almost evening. For the masquerade ball, you need to leave early to meet him before people start entering," Roxie said. Avelina nodded—Roxie had gone to a masquerade ball before and knew how it went.
They both walked to the dorm room, and there in front sat a box. Roxie smiled; she didn't expect the man to actually send a dress. Now she was curious who this man really was.
They moved together and locked up the box. Surprisingly, it was heavy. They carried it inside the room.
"Let me get ready, then we'll check it," Avelina spoke, and Roxie nodded. Roxie moved to the kitchen to prepare ramen, as she was hungry.
Avelina took her bath and washed her hair. Just as she finished, she stepped out of the bathroom, her hair wrapped in a towel and wearing a bathrobe. She walked to the bed and sat it was then her eyes met the empty ramen pack.
"You have to be kidding me, Xie. Don't tell me you ate that without giving me any," Avelina said disapprovingly, giving her a hard glare.
"I can always make an extra, so be quiet. Besides, you'll be eating enough later tonight," Roxie said matter-of-factly, and Avelina rolled her eyes.
"You have to be kidding," Ave muttered as Roxie walked toward her, holding a hair dryer. She plugged it into the socket and began blow-drying Avelina's hair gently.
Roxie had always dreamed of becoming a stylist. Even though she liked law, she loved fashion and hair styling.
"You even have to pay me for this," Roxie joked. They both laughed at her words, and Avelina replied,
"We'll have to see the final result first. You know it's wrong to jump to conclusions."
Roxie scoffed as she carefully blow-dried Avelina's hair.
"Oh, please, save your graduation speech for later," Roxie said, shaking her head softly.
"No, I want you to be the first to hear it," Avelina joked following the flow, and they laughed again.
Once Roxie was done, she began styling Avelina's hair carefully, making sure it looked perfect.
With her hair done, it was time for the dress. They moved to the box, and Roxie took a knife to tear open the middle. As she opened it, she dropped the penknife.
Their eyes nearly popped out as they stared at the dress. They hadn't even unfolded it yet, but it already screamed luxury, elegance, and money.
"Oh my fucking days! Who is this big fish my bestie just caught?" Roxie smirked, shifting her gaze to Avelina, who remained silent.
"Stop over-exaggerating. There are lots of fishes in the sea," Avelina said, echoing exactly what Roxie used to say after breaking up with her weekly boyfriends.
"Oh please, there is no shark like this, sweetheart," Roxie said with a smile. Avelina rolled her eyes at her friend's dramatic behavior.
Beside the dress were a mask and a glass shoe.
"I don't know who this guy is, but he's already treating you like Cinderella. Hmm… you know what? While leaving, drop one of the heels on the stairs, and he'll find you—you'll live happily ever after," Roxie giggled mischievously. Avelina rolled her eyes.
"You are delusional," she said, as Roxie stuck out her tongue playfully.
She pulled out the dress, and Avelina removed her robe. Roxie gently helped her into the royal blue, body-hugging dress with a mermaid cut and a sharp slit from the knee down. Avelina's silver hair poured down in waves, her silver-like glow matching the glass shoe and mask, perfectly framing her face. The back had a small heart-shaped opening. She looked not just gorgeous but like the moon goddess herself.
"Whoa, girl! You are really Cinderella. Wow! The only difference is the fairy godmother is actually the prince you'll meet because he says nt you this dress—I'm just the messenger to help dress you," Roxie winked.
"Don't forget to leave a heel," she added, and Avelina laughed.
"Let's go. I'll drop you," Roxie said softly, and a smile spread across Avelina's lips. She didn't even know how to thank her—Roxie had been there for her, and she would forever be grateful.
They walked out of the apartment as Roxie chuckled softly before speaking.
"I'm such a bad friend. Your parents think we're studying now," she said, and they both giggled.
"No, I'm the bad one for letting you tell them," Avelina replied, and they giggled again.
As they stepped outside, the soft wind brushed against Avelina's face.
"Let's go. We don't want other students looking and wondering. You know how rumors fly," Roxie said. Avelina understood—some students were still outside, even though the evening was fading.
"Who is that?" Roxie suddenly asked, pointing at the sleek black car. Outside stood a man in a suit, like a butler just beside the car.
As they turned, the man bowed. Roxie's lips curled into a smirk.
"Mamacita, that man is fucking handsome," she said. Avelina's head snapped toward her, glaring. She couldn't believe Roxie was talking about the butler while they she was shocked that a car had been sent for her.
"Behave," Avelina whispered as she noticed Roxie's flirty gaze on him.
"You know I'm behaving… but once you return, I'll be borrowing him for the night…"
"Xieee!" Avelina stretched her name. Roxie immediately raised her hands in surrender.
The man, face neutral, bowed again.
"Miss Billie Blue," he greeted. Avelina curtsied as she entered the car. This man really was wealthy—she was certain.
The butler closed the door, his brown eyes turning toward Roxie, who seemed to be biting her lips.
"Bring her back safely," Roxie spoke softly. The man cleared his throat and nodded.
"I will"
"Good boy," she finally spoke as he halted in his tracks, caught off guard by the lady's words for a moment before moving to the door.
Roxie watched as the car zoomed off.
"Oh my… he is fucking handsome," she whispered.